That didn’t take long. Congress is only in its first month, but religious right government officials are wasting no time in trying to tear down the wall of separation between church and state.

Earlier this month, Rep. Walter Jones introduced a bill, H.R. 153, which would “restore the Free Speech and First Amendment rights of churches and exempt organizations by repealing the 1954 Johnson Amendment.” The Johnson Amendment being referred to is a piece of legislation that prohibits churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates.

If pastors are given the right to endorse candidates from the pulpit, their parishioners may be coerced into supporting specific candidates because of a perceived religious obligation. This is fundamentally un-American, and weakens the state of our democracy by giving religious leaders untold influence.

We have a long congressional session ahead of us, but the American Humanist Association is dedicated to helping local humanists leave their mark on public policy. Thank you for defending the separation of church and state.

Last week I told you about our first-ever congressional briefing, which is taking place on July 22nd at 12:30pm in Rayburn 2103 and is focusing on the need for Humanist Chaplains in the U.S. military.

This briefing is really important, because the needs of humanist soldiers remain unaccounted for since the defeat last year of the Polis Amendment, which would have allowed the military to appoint Humanist Chaplains.

I’m proud to announce that the American Humanist Association will be holding our first-ever congressional briefing on July 22nd at 12:30pm in Rayburn 2103 regarding the need for Humanist Chaplains in the U.S. military.

We have some fantastic speakers lined up for the event, including:

Jason Torpy, president of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers and endorsing agent for the American Humanist Association’s Humanist Society

Stephen Boyd, a retired colonel and military chaplain and endorsing agent for the United Church of Christ

Major Ryan Jean, a member of the military and active humanist.

Since the defeat of the Polis Amendment last year, which would have allowed the military to appoint Humanist Chaplains, humanist soldiers remain chronically underserved.

Our experts will provide crucial testimony to educate members of Congress about the importance of including Humanist Chaplains in the U.S. military. Nonbelievers outnumber all non-Christian faiths in the military, and nontheist military members can benefit from the confidential guidance and comfort provided by humanist chaplains as they endure the stresses of combat and separation from their families.